The preliminaries are almost over and the minnows are being rapidly thrown back into the water. Afghanistan and Zimbabwe have disappeared; Ireland and Bangladesh will need to improve significantly to have a chance of making the Super Eights.

England have had a superb week, culminating in the trouncing of Afghanistan, which is hardly the apex of cricketing achievement, but they performed with such brio in that game and their warm-up matches that the rest of the world are starting to take note. They now know there are two Ts in Buttler [Jos] and that you do not run quick singles to him, and that Bairstow [Jonny] can catch as well as, if not better, without gloves on. What's more, on Saturday Buttler was rewarded with an England incremental contract for 2011-12.

Luke Wright responded superbly to a tricky situation against Afghanistan after a wicket maiden and a barren first four overs of the powerplay, but it was the quality of England's fielding that really impressed. In this department we can safely conclude that they have their next opponents, India, covered.

England and India have the luxury of a "dead" match on Sunday. Both are certain of their places in the Super Eights, where England's opponents will – barring major upsets – be New Zealand, West Indies and Sri Lanka. To make the semi-finals, England must finish in the top two of a mini-league table of four teams.

However, Stuart Broad scoffs at the notion of a dead game against India. "It's hard to call any game meaningless when you're putting on the three lions of England and you're taking the field as an international. Whether it is a must-win for us or whether we don't have to win to go through, it doesn't change our approach. Any game against India is huge. It will have massive viewing appeal and we know how passionate the Indian fans are about their cricket, so we want to put on a fantastic show."

Millions will be watching the game in India and a few of those viewers will be important. The shadow of the Indian Premier League hangs over every cricket board. Cricket Australia, for example, is concerned about burn-out among their players before the next Ashes series, with Shane Watson, in particular, in demand by every T20 franchise, as well as in all forms of the game for his country.

It may be that a sparkling performance against India by a young Englishman will excite the odd IPL franchise. So there are plenty of reasons, some of them financial, why England will wish to put on a "fantastic show". However, the chief motivation will be to maintain the momentum Broad's side have achieved during their time in Sri Lanka.

So far, England have looked sharper than an older India side. They have a concern over Virender Sehwag's injury to his hand, which may prevent him playing against England. Yet Sehwag does not appear to be as critical to the Indian lineup as he once was. In white-ball cricket, Virat Kohli has become the most coveted scalp for opponents.

At the Premadasa Stadium there will be a reunion between Broad and Yuvraj Singh. So much has happened since the young Broad was swatted for six sixes by Yuvraj in Johannesburg in the first T20 World Cup: Broad has been elevated to the England captaincy and Yuvraj has overcome cancer. "To have an illness like that is horrible and the whole cricketing world got behind him," said Broad on the eve of the match. "So it's amazing to see him back playing for India and we know what a dangerous player he is."

Against Afghanistan, Yuvraj looked and played just as he used to; off the mark with a six and a wicket with his first delivery. He is dangerous alright, but at the moment it looks as if England do not fear anybody.